Mary Grace Jarvis Kennedy, 83, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville. She was born in Wilkes County, N.C., to the late Hayes Warner Jarvis and Mozelle Reavis Jarvis. Grace was a graduate of the School of Nursing at Wake Forest/Bowman-Gray School of Nursing. She had worked at Watts Hospital in Raleigh, Iredell Memorial Hospital, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and retired from Davis Hospital. She was a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church in Statesville and was a helper with the Good News Club at Third Creek Elementary School. Being a very competitive person, Grace loved to play bridge and Gin Rummy with her beloved John, whom she often beat. She also played Par 3 Golf and Tennis with John, but at his request, the scoring of those sports won’t be mentioned. As her children were growing up, she also participated in many games of baseball with them. Grace loved to travel, spending many hours at her favorite place, North Myrtle Beach.
Grace is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, John Lowry Kennedy; by her sons, John Kennedy Jr. (Marsha) of Concord, N.C., the Rev. Dr. Scott Kennedy (Alison) of Winter Garden, Fla., Brian Kennedy (Brenn) of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Mark Kennedy of Statesville. She also is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Katie Kennedy of Durham, Madison Kennedy of Carrboro, Abigail Kennedy who is studying abroad, Caleb Kennedy of Winter Garden, Fla., and Dida Kennedy of Winston-Salem, N.C. In addition to her parents, Grace was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Price.
A Service of Celebration will be held at a time to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Gideons International or to Western Avenue Baptist Church in Statesville.
Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251, www.gideons.org; and Western Avenue Baptist Church, 1206 Museum Road, Statesville, NC 28625.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Kennedy and her family.